Device for squaring the studs and plate members of a wall section

ABSTRACT

The aligning or jack device is used for leveling or squaring a wooden wall section that is formed of floor and ceiling plates interconnected by studs and including a brace member loosely attached to diagonally opposite portions of the section. The device includes a pair of clamp assemblies, one for embracing the floor plate and the second one for embracing the brace member. The second clamp assembly is movably mounted on a handle or lever member that has one end pivoted on the first clamp assembly for pivoted movement about a horizontal axis. On actuation of the lever the studs and plates are relatively moved by the brace member to positions extended normal to each other, and are retained in such positions by rigidly securing the brace member to the wooden section.

r [22] Filed:

[451 May 13,1975

1 1 DEVICE FOR SQUARING THE STUDS AND PLATE MEMBERS OF A WALL SECTION [76] Inventor: Earl A. Powell, 1030 Fifth St., West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 Oct. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 407,805

[52] US. Cl. 254/16; 254/113; 254/131;

29/468 [51] Int. Cl. B66f 11/00; B66f 15/00; 1366f 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..254/15,l6,113,1l4, 119,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 634,561 10/1899 Manwaring 254/15 2,823,011 2/1958 Jones 3,678,561 7/1972 Mautz 254/131 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rudolph L. Lowell [57] ABSTRACT The aligning or jack device is used for leveling or squaring a woodenwall section thatis formed of floor and ceiling plates interconnected by studs and including a brace member loosely attached to diagonally opposite portions of the section. The device includes a pair of clamp assemblies, one for embracing the floor plate and the second one for embracing the brace member. The second clamp assembly is movably mounted on a handle or lever member that has one end pivoted on the first clamp assembly for pivoted movement about a horizontal axis. On actuation of the lever the studs and plates are relatively moved by the brace member to positions extended normal to each other, and are retained in such positions by rigidly securing the brace member to the wooden section.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 1 3 :975

DEVICE FOR SQUARING THE STUDS AND PLATE MEMBERS OF A WALL SECTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device is of a compact and light-weight construction and is easily manipulated to quickly level or plumb the usual wooden wall section of a building that is under construction with a minimum of time and man power. The leverage force is manually applied by one man while a second man checks the adjustment of the section to a plumb position wherein the studs are normal to the floor and ceiling plates of the wall section. The plumb position is then retained by the first man while the second man rigidly secures the diagonal brace to the section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device shown in assembly relation with a wooden wall section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the jack device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view as seen along the line 33 in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged detailed sectional views taken on the lines 44 and 5-5, respectively, in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing the jack device of this invention, indicated generally at is shown in assembly relation with a prefabricated wooden wall section 11 having a brace member 12 extended diagonally of the wall section. The wall section comprises a plurality of studs 13 connected to a floor plate 14 and a ceiling plate 16. The brace member 12 is loosely attached only at the ends thereof to the diagonally opposite portions of the wall section 11. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each such attachment is by a nail 17 which is driven through the brace member into the diagonally opposite end portions 18 and 19 of the upper and lower plates 16 and 14, respectively.

The jack device (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes an elongated handle lever member 21 composed ofa round tubular pipe material, and a pair of clamp assemblies 22 and 23.

The clamp assembly 22 includes a flat base or floor supported member 24 having rigidly secured adjacent one end thereof an upright pin or rod 26 (FIG. 5). A stationary clamping arm 27 is of a generally L shape having a long leg 28 rigidly secured at its free end 29 to the top of the rod 26 and a short leg 31 spaced from and opposite the rod 26. The arm 27 and base 24 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are additionally interconnected by a pair of brace members 30 arranged to opposite sides of the rod 26. A pivoted clamping arm 32 for the assembly 22 is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on the rod 26 (FIG. 5). The end of the pivoted clamping arm 32 opposite the short leg 31 of the stationary clamping arm 27 is formed with a pair of transversely spaced gripping fingers 33 which extend generally in a direction radially of the rod 26 (FIG. 4). The terminal edges of the fingers 33 are of a serrated construction for a purpose to appear later. The pivotal movement of the clamping arm 32 about the rod 26 is limited by the coacting engagement of a stop portion 34 on each finger 33 with a corresponding stop portion 36 on the base plate 24.

Projected outwardly from the end of the pivoted clamping member 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5), remote from the short leg 31, is a pivot member 37, illustrated as a bolt, which has the axis thereof arranged normal to the axis of the rod 26. Pivotally mounted on the pivot member 37 is one end 38 of the handle or lever member 21. The clamp assembly 23 (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes a tubular body member 39 which is rotatably and slidably mounted on the lever member 21. Suitably secured to one side of the body member 39 is a clamping unit 41 of a U-shape including leg sections 42 and 43 extended in a direction toward the pivoted end 38 of the lever member 21. The leg section 43 is adjacent to the body member 39 and is integrally formed with a pair of trans versely spaced diverging gripping fingers 44. It is seen, therefore, that the clamp assembly 23 is movable axially of the lever 21 along with being rotatable through 360 about the axis of the lever.

The clamp assembly 23 is maintained against movement off the free end 46 of the lever member 21 by a stop member 47, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a bolt assembly extended transversely of the lever 21 adjacent to the lever end 46. To eliminate movement of the clamp assembly 23 against the clamp assembly 22 a bolt assembly 47 is arranged adjacent the pivoted end of the lever 21 at a position such that the clamp unit 41 is spaced from the stationary clamping arm 27 a distance sufficient to prevent either the foot or hand of an operator from being pinched there-between.

In the use of the jack device 10, and as shown in FIG. 1, the floor plate 14 is located within the clamp assembly 22 so that the base member 24 projects laterally outwardly from one side of the floor plate 14. When thus arranged, it is seen that the lever member 21 is pivotally movable in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the wooden wall section 11. The clamp assembly 23 is then positioned over the brace member 12. To effect a maximum leverage efficiency of the device 10, the clamp assembly 22 is arranged adjacent the lower end of the brace member 12 with the lever member 21 extended in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the brace member 12.

The lever member 21 is then manipulated in a direction providing for a relative longitudinal movement between the floor plate 14 and ceiling plate 16 providing for the studs 13 being moved to positions square with or normal to the plates 14 and 16. During this procedure the lever member 21 is manually operated by one man, while a second man checks the squaring of the studs 13 with the plates 14 and 16 by the use of a usual leveling device. The wall section 11 is then retained in its squared condition by the jack operator while the second man rigidly secures the brace member 12 to the wall section to permanently retain the squared condition.

In the manipulation of the lever member 21 limited pivotal movement of the clamping arm 32 will take place relative to the rod 26 to firmly embed one or the other of the fingers 33 into the floor plate 14 depending upon the direction of pivotal movement of the lever member 21. As a result the clamp assembly 22, during a squaring operation, is in a firm gripping relation with the floor plate 14 regardless of tolerance variations in the floor plate. It will be understood, of course, that a similar positive gripping action is accomplished by the clamp assembly 23 with the brace member 12 on rotational movement thereof relative to the lever member 21. It is to be further noted that during manipulation of the lever member 21 some sliding movement thereof may take place relative to the body member 39.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having floor and ceiling plates interconnected by stud members and a brace member loosely attached to diagonally opposite end portions of said section, said device comprising:

a. an elongated lever member,

b. a pair of clamp assemblies of an inverted U-shape, with a first one of said assemblies corresponding to said floor plate, and the second one of said assemblies corresponding to said brace member, each of said clamp assemblies including a pair of oppositely arranged clamp arms,

0. means pivotally supporting a clamp arm of said first clamp assembly adjacent one end of said lever member for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the lever member, and other means pivotally supporting the opposite arm of said first clamp assembly for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said lever member, and

d. means mounting the second clamp assembly on one clamp arm thereof for longitudinal movement relative to the lever member and for rotational movement about the axis of the lever member,

e. said lever member, when the floor plate is received within the first clamp assembly and the brace member is received within the second clamp assembly, being manually pivoted relative to the first clamp assembly about said transverse axis to a position wherein the stud members and plate members of the wooden wall section are extended in planes normal to each other.

2. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having floor and ceiling plates interconnected by stud members and a brace member loosely attached to diag onally opposite end portions of said section, said device comprising:

a. a clamp assembly including a base member and a first clamping unit for transversely embracing the floor plate, said clamping unit comprised of a stationary clamp arm and a pivoted clamp arm,

b. means pivotally supporting the pivoted clamp arm on the base member for pivotal movement about an axis projected upwardly from said base member,

c. an elongated handle member pivoted at one end on said pivoted clamp arm for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said pivoted clamp arm, and

d. a second clamping unit for transversely embracing said brace member mounted on said handle member for relative rotational and sliding movement,

e. said handle, when the floor plate and brace member are embraced by the first clamping unit and second clamping unit, respectively, being manually operated to move said brace member to a position wherein the stud members are normal to the floor and ceiling plates.

3. The jack device according to claim 2 wherein:

a. said pivoted clamp arm includes a pair of gripping portions spaced transversely of said first clamping unit,

b. said pivotal supporting means comprises a rod secured at one end to said base member and at the opposite end thereof to said stationary clamp arm,

0. said stationary clamp arm and said base member projected outwardly from opposite sides of said rod, and said pivoted clamp arm mounted on said rod between the ends thereof.

4. The jack device according to claim 2 including:

a. co-acting portions on said base member and on said pivoted clamp arm for limiting the pivotal movement of said pivoted clamp arm.

5. The jack device according to claim 2 wherein:

a. said second clamping unit is of a U-shape facing said one end of the handle and including a pair of leg sections, with one of said leg sections having a pair of transversely spaced gripping portions.

6. The jack device according to claim 2 including:

a. a pivot means for the one end of said handle secured to said pivoted clamp arm and projected outwardly from the side thereof remote from said stationary clamp arm.

7. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having a floor plate and ceiling plate interconnected by stud members and a brace member movably attached to diagonally opposite portions of the section, said device comprising:

a. a floor-supported base plate,

b. a rod secured to and projected upwardly from one end of said base plate,

c. a plate holding clamp unit including a stationary clamping arm secured at one end portion to the upper end of said rod and having an opposite end portion spaced from and located in a facing relation with said rod,

d. a pivoted clamping arm pivotally mounted on said rod having a pair of gripping fingers at one end spaced transversely of said stationary clamping arm,

e. an elongated handle member pivotally supported on the other end of said pivoted clamping arm for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said rod, and

f. an inverted U-shape clamping unit mounted on said handle member for slidable and rotational movement relative thereto,

g. said handle member on reception of the floor plate within the stationary clamping arm and said brace member within the U-shape clamping unit, being manually actuated to adjust said brace member to a position wherein the stud members are normal to the floor and ceiling plates. 

1. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having floor and ceiling plates interconnected by stud members and a brace member loosely attached to diagonally opposite end portions of said section, said device comprising: a. an elongated lever member, b. a pair of clamp assemblies of an inverted U-shape, with a first one of said assemblies corresponding to said floor plate, and the second one of said assemblies corresponding to said brace member, each of said clamp assemblies including a pair of oppositely arranged clamp arms, c. means pivotally supporting a clamp arm of said first clamp assembly adjacent one end of said lever member for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the lever member, and other means pivotally supporting the opposite arm of said first clamp assembly for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said lever member, and d. means mounting the second clamp assembly on one clamp arm thereof for longitudinal movement relative to the lever member and for rotational movement about the axis of the lever member, e. said lever member, when the floor plate is received within the first clamp assembly and the brace member is received within the second clamp assembly, being manually pivoted relative to the first clamp assembly about said transverse axis to a position wherein the stud members and plate members of the wooden wall section are extended in planes normal to each other.
 2. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having floor and ceiling plates interconnected by stud members and a brace member loosely attached to diagonally opposite end portions of said section, said device comprising: a. a clamp assembly including a base member and a first clamping unit for transversely embracing the floor plate, said clamping unit comprised of a stationary clamp arm and a pivoted clamp arm, b. means pivotally supporting the pivoted clamp arm on the base member for pivotal movement about an axis projected upwardly from said base member, c. an elongated handle member pivoted at one end on said pivoted clamp arm for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said pivoted clamp arm, and d. a second clamping unit for transversely embracing said brace member mounted on said handle member for relative rotational and sliding movement, e. said handle, when the floor plate and brace member are embraced by the first clamping unit and second clamping unit, respectively, being manually operated to move said brace member to a position wherein the stud members are normal to the floor and ceiling plates.
 3. The jack device according to claim 2 wherein: a. said pivoted clamp arm includes a pair of gripping portions spaced transversely of said first clamping unit, b. said pivotal supporting means comprises a rod secured at one end to said base member and at the opposite end thereof to said stationary clamp arm, c. said stationary clamp arm and said base member projected outwardly from opposite sides of said rod, and said pivoted clamp arm mounted on said rod between the ends thereof.
 4. The jack device according to claim 2 including: a. co-acting portions on said base member and on said pivoted clamp arm for limiting the pivotal movement of said pivoted clamp arm.
 5. The jack device according to claim 2 wherein: a. said second clamping unit is of a U-shape facing said one end of the handle and including a pair of leg sections, with one of said leg sections having a pair of transversely spaced gripping portions.
 6. The jack device according to claim 2 including: a. a pivOt means for the one end of said handle secured to said pivoted clamp arm and projected outwardly from the side thereof remote from said stationary clamp arm.
 7. A jack device for squaring a wooden wall section having a floor plate and ceiling plate interconnected by stud members and a brace member movably attached to diagonally opposite portions of the section, said device comprising: a. a floor-supported base plate, b. a rod secured to and projected upwardly from one end of said base plate, c. a plate holding clamp unit including a stationary clamping arm secured at one end portion to the upper end of said rod and having an opposite end portion spaced from and located in a facing relation with said rod, d. a pivoted clamping arm pivotally mounted on said rod having a pair of gripping fingers at one end spaced transversely of said stationary clamping arm, e. an elongated handle member pivotally supported on the other end of said pivoted clamping arm for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said rod, and f. an inverted U-shape clamping unit mounted on said handle member for slidable and rotational movement relative thereto, g. said handle member on reception of the floor plate within the stationary clamping arm and said brace member within the U-shape clamping unit, being manually actuated to adjust said brace member to a position wherein the stud members are normal to the floor and ceiling plates. 